Driver Safety and Traffic Signs: Comprehensive Study Guide

Stop Sign

Octagon shape with a red background and white letters. Drivers must come to a complete stop before proceeding.

Yield Sign

Upside-down triangle shape with a red background and white letters. Drivers must slow down or stop if necessary to let other vehicles or pedestrians pass first.

Flashing Yellow Light

Drivers should proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.

Flashing Red Light

Drivers must come to a complete stop before proceeding when safe.

School Zone Sign

Shaped like a pentagon with a fluorescent yellow-green background and black letters. Drivers must exercise caution and yield to pedestrians.

Arrow Signs

Green arrow: proceed in the direction of the arrow; Yellow arrow: warns to prepare to stop; Red arrow: complete stop and wait for the green arrow or light.

Regulatory Signs

Rectangular shape with a white or black symbol or message on a red background, or a black and white symbol or message on a white background. These signs are mandatory and must be obeyed by drivers.

Warning Signs

Diamond shape with a black symbol or message on a yellow background. Examples include sharp turn signs, slippery road signs, and pedestrian crossing signs.

Informational Signs

Rectangular shape with a green background and white letters, or a blue background and white letters or brown colors. Examples include freeway signs, exit signs, rest area signs, park entrances, and camping sites.

Solid Red Light

Means STOP; drivers can turn right only if there's no NO TURN ON RED sign and they yield to pedestrians.

Solid Yellow Light

Means CAUTION; drivers should stop if possible, otherwise, cautiously cross the intersection.

Solid Green Light

Means GO, but drivers must still yield to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian in the intersection.

Lane Ends

Lane ends.

Merging Traffic

Merging traffic; slow down and allow merging vehicles to enter safely.

End of Divided Road

The road ahead is no longer divided.

Added Lane

A lane is added to the roadway ahead.

Slippery Road When Wet

This sign advises drivers to exercise caution, reduce speed, and avoid sudden maneuvers to prevent skidding or loss of control due to slippery conditions.

White Lines

Used to separate lanes of traffic that are traveling in the same direction. A solid white line indicates that you should not change lanes, while a broken white line indicates that you may change lanes if it is safe to do so.

Yellow Lines

Used to separate lanes of traffic that are traveling in opposite directions. A solid yellow line indicates that passing is not allowed, while a broken yellow line indicates that passing is allowed if it is safe to do so.

Double Yellow Lines

Two solid yellow lines that indicate that passing is not allowed in either direction.

Flashing Red Lights on a Bus

Stop for flashing red lights on a bus from any direction until children cross and lights stop.

Fines for Violations

Failing to stop for a bus may result in a $1,000 fine and 1-year driving suspension.

Unlicensed Driver Penalty

Unlicensed driver using your car can impound it for 30 days.

Driving Without Insurance Penalty

Can lead to a suspension of your driving privilege for up to 4 years after a collision.

DUI Arrest Consequences

Your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days under the Administrative Per Se law.

Alcohol Involvement in Accidents

Alcohol is involved in 40% of highway accidents.

BAC of .02 to .05%

Makes a young driver at least 7 times more likely to be killed than a sober driver.

BAC of 0.12%

Makes a driver 90 times more likely to be killed.

Prescription drugs

Include narcotics, depressants, medical marijuana, and can cause drowsiness, slowed reactions, and poor coordination.

Narcotics

Examples include codeine and Demerol, used as painkillers.

Depressants

Include sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and barbiturates.

Stimulants

Include amphetamines and diet pills, causing a false sense of well-being and lack of concentration.

Illegal Drugs

Include marijuana, narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

Marijuana

Causes drowsiness and can distort time and space.

Narcotics (heroin)

Slow reaction time and can cause visual distortion and death.

Stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine)

Can lead to paranoia with continued use.

Hallucinogens

Include LSD, mescaline, and PCP, causing hallucinations and aggressive behavior.

Synergism

Combining drugs can result in an intensified effect higher than dosage levels would suggest.

Parking downhill

Turn your front wheels towards the curb to prevent rolling into traffic.

Parking uphill

Turn your front wheels away from the curb and let the vehicle roll back slightly until the wheels touch the curb.

Prohibited Parking Zones

Include no parking signposted areas, marked or unmarked crosswalks, sidewalks, and driveways.

Common causes of collisions

Include driver distractions, unsafe speed, improper turns, and failure to follow right-of-way rules.

Blind spots

Areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver.

Defensive Driving

SIPDE; SEARCH, IDENTIFY, PREDICT, DECIDE AND EXECUTE.

Jaywalking

Act of pedestrians walking in or crossing a roadway not at a designated crossing point.

Basic Speed Law

Requires driving at a safe speed for road conditions in California.

Hitchhiking

Prohibited; no person shall stand in a roadway to solicit a ride.

Undesirable traits of a driver

Include aggressiveness, egotism, emotional instability, inattentiveness, exhibitionism, and irresponsibility.

Velocitation

Unconsciously going too fast.

Highway hypnosis

Avoiding drowsiness while driving.

Right of Way

Legal right of a driver or pedestrian to proceed first in traffic.

Low-beam headlights

Should be used during fog to avoid glare.

Driving on slippery roads

Adjust speed: wet road by 5-10 mph, packed snow by half, ice to 5 mph or less.

First Aid

Important that trained individuals administer first aid and seek additional help.

CPR

Performed immediately for heart stoppage by trained individuals.

Heimlich maneuver

Used to dislodge an object obstructing the airway.

Shock

Elevate legs, keep warm, and seek medical attention.

Burns

Run cool water over the burn for at least 10 minutes and seek medical attention.

Fractures

Immobilize the injured area and seek medical attention.

What is the speed limit within 100 feet of a railroad crossing with limited visibility?

15 mph

How far must you signal before turning?

At least 100 feet/5 seconds before turning.

What is the distance at which horns must be audible?

200 feet

When should you dim high-beams when following another vehicle?

Within 300 feet

What is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school when children are outside?

25 mph

What is the minimum distance you should keep from air bags while riding?

10 inches

What does a red curb indicate?

No parking, standing, or stopping at any time.

What does a green curb indicate?

Limited time parking (20 minutes).

What does a blue curb indicate?

Parking for disabled persons with valid permits.

What is the penalty for following emergency vehicles with lights on?

It is illegal to follow within 300 feet.

What happens if you cannot see farther than 100 feet?

It is not safe to drive faster than 30 mph.

What is the minimum insurance requirement for a vehicle?

$15K/person, $30K/accident, $5K/property.

What is the legal BAC limit for drivers over 21 years old?

0.08% or higher.

What should you do if you are involved in a collision with $1,000+ damage?

Report the collision to DMV using SR 1 form.

What is the consequence for minors with a positive alcohol test for the first offense?

1-year license suspension.

What is the penalty for evading law enforcement resulting in serious bodily injury?

Up to 7 years in state prison or 1 year in county jail.

What is the speed limit for blind intersections or alleys?

15 mph.

What is the consequence of accumulating 4 points in 12 months on your driving record?

Your license may be suspended for 1 year.